Method and system for reporting outside temperature

ABSTRACT

A method and system for reporting outside temperature. A temperature source continually provides a measure of outside temperature to a base station in a wireless communications system. The base station responsively inserts an indication of outside temperature into control channel messages and broadcasts the control channel messages for receipt by mobile stations being served by the base station. A mobile station receives the control channel messages, extracts the temperature indication from the messages, and continually displays an indication of outside temperature for viewing by a user. Conveniently, the temperature source can be a simple temperature gauge mounted to a base station tower or other entity in or near the cell site being served by the base station, so that mobile stations in the cell site can be made to display the local temperature.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to temperature reporting and moreparticularly to a method and system for reporting outside temperaturefor display on a mobile station such as a cellular telephone forinstance.

2. Description of Related Art

In a typical cellular radio communications system (wirelesstelecommunications network), an area is divided geographically into anumber of cells and, in turn, sectors, each defined by a radio frequency(RF) radiation pattern from a respective base transceiver station (BTS,or “base station”) antenna. The base stations in the cells are in turncoupled to a base station controller (BSC), which is then coupled to atelecommunications switch or gateway, such as a mobile switching center(MSC) for instance. The MSC may then be coupled to a telecommunicationsnetwork such as the PSTN (public switched telephone network) or theInternet.

When a mobile station (such as a cellular telephone, pager, orappropriately equipped portable computer, for instance) is positioned ina cell, the mobile station communicates via an RF air interface with theBTS antenna of the cell. This air interface communication can occur overcontrol and traffic channels as defined by an accepted protocol.

For instance, in a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system operatingaccording to industry standard IS-2000 (e.g., TIA/EIA Interim StandardIS-2000-5), up to 64 communication channels exist, each distinguished bya unique “Walsh code.” The control channels include a pilot channeldefined by Walsh code 0, a sync channel defined by Walsh code 32, and anumber of paging channels defined by Walsh codes 1 through 7, asnecessary. The traffic channels, in turn, are defined by the remainingWalsh codes (up to 62 in total).

Further, in a CDMA system, each physical sector in a cell isdistinguished by a PN offset, which defines a sector-specific part of apseudo-random number. Communications between a mobile station and theBTS on a given channel, in a given physical sector, and on a givencarrier frequency, are encoded using the Walsh code of the channel andthe PN offset of the physical sector and are then carried on the carrierfrequency. Details of the mechanics involved in this coding andcommunication are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art andare therefore not described here.

The IS-2000 pilot channel is used for establishing signal timing andconveying signal strength measurements to facilitate handoff betweensectors. The pilot channel does not carry messages but rather provides astream that mobile stations can frequently sample to determine how wellthey can hear a base station. A mobile station will measure the pilotwhen it initializes and regularly while it's powered up, whether idle orin a call, in search of the strongest sector.

The sync channel is used to convey system identification and othersystem-specific information to mobile stations, generally to allowmobile stations to establish communication in the sector. For thisreason, the sync channel carries one message, the sync channel message,which contains information such as the system time, code and frametiming, an indication of the PN offset for the selected sector, and asystem ID number. When a mobile station first powers-on in a CDMAsystem, it will search for the strongest pilot and then check the synchchannel to find out what PN offset it is using to communicate with thebase station.

A paging channel, in turn, may be used to page a mobile station in orderto determine whether the mobile station is available to receive a call.Further the paging channels may carry system information and call setuporders to facilitate establishment of calls with the mobile station. Forinstance, the base station may send a general page message over thepaging channel, which can direct a mobile station to switch to adesignated traffic channel and to alert a user of an incoming call. Oncea mobile station finds a pilot and checks the synch channel, the mobilewill quickly switch to the paging channel to be able to receive calls.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a method and system for reporting outsidetemperature. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, a temperature gauge or other temperature source provides asignal indicative of the outside temperature at or near a cell site. Inturn, a base station transmits a representation of the outsidetemperature in an air interface control channel for receipt andpresentation by at least one mobile station. In the exemplaryembodiment, each recipient mobile station is arranged to extract theoutside temperature representation from the control channel and topresent an indication of the outside temperature to a user.

The temperature source can take various forms and can be positioned atvarious locations. However, an optimal location for the temperaturesource is a location where the outside temperature is representative ofthe outside temperature in the cell site. Since the base station antennatypically sits at the core of a cell site, the temperature source can beoptimally positioned at the base station, such as on the base stationantenna tower for instance. That way, the base station can broadcast tothe mobile stations in its cell site an indication of the outsidetemperature at the base station, which can be representative of (even ifnot identical to) the outside temperature generally in the cell site.

Further, by positioning a temperature source at each base stationthroughout a region, and by regularly reporting the outside temperatureto mobile stations being served by those base stations, a mobile stationcan regularly receive and display an indication of the outsidetemperature in each cell site where the mobile station operates.

These as well as other aspects and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by readingthe following detailed description, with appropriate reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described hereinwith reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless telecommunicationsnetwork in which the exemplary embodiment can be employed;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting functional blocks of the exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 3 is an schematic illustration of a base station receiving ameasure of outside temperature and reporting the temperature to mobilestations in its cell site;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting functions that may be employed inaccordance with the exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is an idealized representation of cell sites through which amobile station may pass as it receives and displays updated reports ofoutside temperature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a wirelesstelecommunications network 10 in which an exemplary embodiment of theinvention can be employed. Network 10 includes a transport network 12(e.g., the public switched telephone network (PSTN), or the Internet), amobile switching center (MSC) or other gateway 14, a base stationcontroller (BSC) 16, a base station 18, an air interface 20, and amultiple mobile stations (MS) 22.

Elements 14-18 are considered to be a “radio access network” 24 and areusually owned and operated by a telecommunications service provider. Theradio access network functions to interconnect mobile stations 22 withthe transport network 12. For instance, when a call for a mobile stationcomes in from the transport network, gateway 14 may signal to BSC 16,which may in turn signal to base station 18. The base station may thensend a signaling message over air interface 20 to the mobile station inan effort to set up and connect the call.

It should be understood that the elements depicted in FIG. 1 and otherfigures throughout this document are shown for purposes of example only.Variations are possible. For instance, although FIG. 1 depicts only asingle base station 18, BSC 16 may in fact function to control multipleseparate base stations, each of which may separately define a cell sitein which mobile stations can operate. As another example, it is fullypossible that the separate BSC and MSC entities could be combined into asingle entity and could be co-located or integrated with base station18. In fact, according to IS-2000, the term “base station” could referto a cell, a sector within a cell, an MSC or other part of the cellularsystem. (Thus, for instance, reference to a “base station” could coverthe combination of a base station and a base station controller.) Stillother variations are possible as well.

As indicated above, base station 18 communicates with mobile stations 22in various channels over air interface 20. For example, according toIS-2000, the base station will continuously broadcast a pilot signal onthe pilot channel (Walsh code 0). Additionally, the base station willcontinuously broadcast a sync channel message on the sync channel (Walshcode 32). Still further, when a mobile station is actively engaged in acall, it communicates with the base station over a designated trafficchannel (any of the remaining Walsh codes).

As further indicated above, when a mobile station is first powered up,it will search for the strongest pilot channel and may responsivelyestablish communication with a base station, such as base station 18 inFIG. 1. According to IS-2000, the mobile station will then enter a“synch channel acquisition substate,” in which the mobile station willreceive and process a sync channel message. The mobile station will thenenter a “mobile station idle state,” in which the mobile station willmonitor the paging channel(s), receiving and processing paging channelmessages.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a simplified block diagram is provided toillustrate the functional operation of a temperature reporting system inaccordance with the exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, atemperature source 26 will output an indication of the current outsidetemperature. That temperature indication will be provided in turn to abase station 28 over a suitable communications link 30. The base station28 will then broadcast the temperature indication over an air interface32 for receipt and display by mobile stations, represented by exemplarymobile stations 34, 36 and 38.

The temperature source 26 can take any of a variety of forms. Forexample, the temperature source can comprise a simple weather gauge,such as a platinum resistance temperature detector (RTD) or athermocouple, which provides an output voltage indicative of currenttemperature. Example platinum RTDs are readily available from companiesSuch as Minco Products, Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn., or Rosemount Inc.,of Chanhassen, Minn. Alternatively, the temperature source can be morecomplex, such as a digital thermometer that outputs a bit sequenceindicative of temperature. Other examples are possible as well.

The communications link 30 over which the temperature indication isprovided from temperature source 26 to base station 28 may also take avariety of forms. In the exemplary embodiment, for instance, the linkwill be a direct wired connection between the temperature source and thebase station. However, other examples are possible as well. Forinstance, link 30 could comprise a landline or wireless network or couldbe an air interface link such as an infrared or radio frequency link. Asanother particular example, if temperature source 26 is physicallypositioned at an MSC, the link between the temperature source and thebase station could comprise a standard or proprietary connection fromthe MSC to a BSC and in turn to the base station.

In the exemplary embodiment, base station 28 will broadcast thetemperature indication over air interface 32 in a control channel thatis monitored by the mobile stations served by the base station. In thisregard, the base station may transmit the temperature indication as aparameter in a standard control channel message or as a speciallyconfigured control channel message. Mobile stations may then be arrangedto read the temperature parameter from the designated control channelmessage and to present the temperature to a user.

FIG. 3 illustrates more particularly an exemplary arrangement of thissystem. As shown in FIG. 3, a base station 40 includes a base stationantenna tower 42 supporting a base station antenna 44 (shown as threedirectional antennae). Mounted to the antenna tower 42 is a temperaturegauge 46, such as a platinum RTD (shown fancifully as a mercurythermometer). The temperature gauge is coupled by a wire 48 extendingdown the antenna tower to the base station. Antenna 44 is in turn shownto be coupled via an air interface 50 with one or more mobile stations,represented by exemplary mobile stations 52, 54 and 56.

In operation, temperature gauge 46 will continually measure the outsidetemperature at the base station and will continually provide anindication of the outside temperature to the base station, via wire 48.If temperature gauge 46 is a platinum RTD, as indicated above, it willprovide an output voltage indicative of the temperature. Base station 40will then sample the voltage and produce a digital signal (a bitsequence) representative of the temperature. In turn, base station 40will insert the digital temperature indication as a parameter in acontrol channel message and broadcast the message over air interface 50to the mobile stations.

Upon receipt of the control channel message, mobile stations 52, 54, 56may read the temperature indication parameter from the control channelmessage. As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile stations may then present thecurrent temperature on their display screens (or in some other form).

To carry out these functions, base station 40 and each mobile stationthat will be capable of displaying the outside temperature will includea set of suitable logic. The logic could take various forms, whetherhardware, firmware and/or software. For instance, the logic may includea processor, a memory and a set of machine language instructions storedin the memory and executable by the processor.

The base station, for instance, may include an analog-to-digitalconverter for sampling the temperature indication signal provided by thetemperature gauge 46, so as to produce a digital representation of thecurrent temperature. In turn, the base station may include a processorthat receives the digital temperature representation and inserts thedigital temperature representation into a control channel message as apredefined temperature parameter.

It is possible that the base station may have already generated orreceived (e.g., from the BSC) the control channel message without thetemperature parameter. In that case, the base station processor couldinsert the temperature parameter into the established message.Alternatively, the base station processor may function to establish theentire control channel message, including the temperature parameter.Once the entire control channel message is established, or as thecontrol channel message is being established, the base station can sendthe control channel message to antenna 44 for transmission of themessage over air interface 50 to the mobile stations.

Each mobile station, in turn, may include a programmed processor,arranged to receive and process the control channel message. Inparticular, the mobile station processor may be programmed to detect thetemperature parameter in the control channel message and to responsivelyread a temperature value from the temperature parameter. The mobilestation processor may then responsively send the temperature value to adisplay unit (such as an LCD display, for instance), to be displayed forviewing by a user.

In this regard, it is commonplace for a mobile station to continuallydisplay the current time of day (as indicated by a control channelmessage) together with a banner such as a service provider name (e.g.,“SPRINT PCS”) for instance. In the exemplary embodiment, a mobilestation will be programmed to continually display the current outsidetemperature as well or instead. A robust mobile station can include asetup application that allows a user to select the items to becontinually displayed, limited by the display size for instance. By wayof example, those items may include (i) the outside temperature, (ii)the time of day, and (iii) a banner.

Alternatively, other means for presentation of the temperature arepossible as well. For example, the mobile station could provide anaudible indication of outside temperature, or both an audio and visualindication. An audio indication could benefit those with restrictedeyesight.

Various control channels and control channel messages can be used tocarry the outside temperature indication to the mobile stations.Applying IS-2000 for example, two such channels are the sync channel andthe paging channel as described above. Within the sync channel, the onlymessage defined by IS-2000 is the sync channel message. Within thepaging channel, an exemplary message defined by IS-2000 is known as the“Feature Notification Message.” According to the exemplary embodiment,the base station can continually broadcast the temperature indication inboth of these messages, so as to convey the current outside temperatureto mobile stations both in the synch channel acquisition substate and inthe mobile station idle state.

IS-2000 defines the sync channel message to include parameters such asmessage length, system ID, PN offset, system time (tied to GPS time),local time offset (to use in setting a local clock), a daylight savingstime indicator, and the paging channel data rate for the mobile stationto use, among others. In accordance with the exemplary embodiment, thesync channel message can be extended to include a predefined temperatureparameter, which can carry an indication of temperature as an ASCIIcharacter string (such as a number, a degree symbol, and a letterindicating the temperature scale (e.g., “65° F.”)). A suitablyprogrammed mobile station can then read the temperature parameter,extract the ASCII character string representation of temperature, anddisplay the character string on a display for viewing by a user.

IS-2000 in turn defines the Feature Notification Message to include an8-bit “Record_Type” parameter, an 8-bit “Record_Length” parameter, and avariable length parameter for carrying type-specific information (inblocks of 8-bits). According to IS-2000, one of the record-types is“Display” (RECORD_TYPE=00000001), which IS-2000 defines as a record thatallows the network to supply display information that may be displayedby the MS. The TYPE-SPECIFIC field can have one or more occurrences of afield called CHARi (8 bits), which is an ASCII representation of acharacter to be displayed.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the base station can use thismessage to carry an ASCII representation of the temperature, in a formatsuch as that described above for instance. Further, the base station cancontinually or periodically send this message over the paging channel. Amobile station can then extract the ASCII temperature from the messageand continually display the temperature, until it receives an updatedASCII temperature in a subsequent control channel message.

Another record-type defined by IS-2000 for the Feature NotificationMessage is “Extended Display,” which may in fact be more suitable thanthe “Display” type, for broadcasting a temperature indication to mobilestations. The Extended Display type defines fields for (i) an indicationof the type of display, (ii) a tag indicating the type of displayinformation, (iii) the length of the display text, and (iv) the displayinformation as a sequence of ASCII characters. IS-2000 defines a limitedset of 8-bit tags to indicate the type of display information.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment, another 8-bit tag can beestablished to indicate temperature display information. The basestation can therefore use this record-type to carry an ASCIIrepresentation of the temperature, associated with a temperature tag.And a mobile station can be programmed to detect the temperature tag,extract the associated ASCII temperature, and continually display it,again until it receives an updated temperature indication in asubsequent control channel message.

Thus, referring now to FIG. 4, a flow chart is provided to furtherillustrate operation of the invention in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, at block 60, the outside temperature ismeasured. At block 62, an indication of the outside temperature is theninserted into a control channel message. At block 64, the controlchannel message is then broadcast over an air interface. At block 66,the control channel message is received at one or more mobile stations.At block 68, each mobile station that is programmed to do so reads theoutside temperature from the control channel message. And, at block 70,the mobile station then displays the outside temperature for viewing bya user.

The exemplary embodiment as described is particularly advantageous,because it can facilitate real-time display of the current outsidetemperature at or near where the mobile station is located. Because mostmobile stations are fully functional indoors (and outdoors), theexemplary embodiment can therefore conveniently provide a continuousreading of outside temperature to a user indoors (and outdoors).

In this regard, although the most common type of mobile station is acellular telephone or a pager, it may be possible to embed a cellularreceiver, control logic and a display in various devices so as toestablish an independent temperature-display device (mobile station).Examples of such devices can include (i) a refrigerator magnet thatdisplays the outside temperature, (ii) a desk ornament that displays theoutside temperature, and (iii) wristwatch that displays the outsidetemperature. Other examples are possible as well.

Further, this real-time temperature display can occur automatically,without the need for any user-intervention. This is in stark contrastwith other methods that are known to display temperature on a mobilestation, such as operating a web browser to engage in a data session andto download a weather report web page, or placing a telephone call to aweather reporting service. Automatic display of the current outsidetemperature is also a great convenience.

Still further, if multiple base stations throughout a region are allequipped to broadcast an indication of the current outside temperatureas described above, a mobile station can move throughout the region andcontinually receive and display the most current outside temperature,even as it changes from location to location. FIG. 5 illustrates thisprocess schematically.

In particular, FIG. 5 depicts a number of base stations, designated byreference letters A through G. Each base station sits at the core of acell site defined by a radiation pattern from the respective basestation antenna. (The cell sites shown in FIG. 5 are represented byhexagons but would realistically vary in shape, due to factors such aslandscape and signal interference.) A mobile station 80 is shown movingalong a path through the cell sites defined by base stations A, D and C(referred to as cell sites A, D and C).

As mobile station 80 enters cell site A, it will lock onto a pilot andthen monitor the sync channel from base station A. Applying theexemplary embodiment, base station A may receive a measure of theoutside temperature in cell site A (e.g., at base station A) and mayresponsively insert an indication of that temperature into the syncchannel message, which it then broadcasts in cell site A. Mobile station80 may then receive the sync channel message, and extract and displaythe temperature in cell site A. After processing the sync channelmessage, mobile station 80 will then begin monitoring paging channel andmay receive a Feature Notification Message from base station A, whichmay again provide the current temperature. Mobile station 80 may thenupdate its temperature display accordingly, each time it receives a newFeature Notification Message.

In turn, as mobile station leaves cell site A and enters and passesthrough cell site D, a similar process will occur, thereby providingmobile station 80 with a reading of the outside temperature in cell siteD. Similarly, as mobile station leaves cell site D and enters and passesthrough cell site C, a similar process will occur, providing the mobilestation with a reading of the outside temperature in cell site C.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been describedabove. Those skilled in the art will understand, however, that changesand modifications may be made to this embodiment without departing fromthe true scope and spirit of the present invention, which is defined bythe claims.

For example, although the foregoing description provides severalexamples of how an indication of outside temperature can be provided toa base station, other examples are possible as well. For instance, atemperature gauge can be mounted on a building or other structure thatis not part of network 10 and can regularly measure the current outsidetemperature. The location of the temperature gauge will preferably be ator near the cell site defined by the base station (e.g., at the nearestairport or other weather reporting station). The temperature measured bythe gauge can then be reported by any suitable communications link tothe base station (or to another entity that establishes a controlchannel message to be broadcast by the base station).

As another example, although the foregoing description focuses onsending temperature over an IS-2000 control channel such as the syncchannel or paging channel, other protocols and/or control channels canbe used instead.

Other examples are possible as well.

I claim:
 1. A temperature-reporting system comprising: a cellular basestation; a temperature source for establishing a measure of outsidetemperature, the temperature source being mounted on an antenna tower ofthe cellular base station; and logic for broadcasting the measure ofoutside temperature in a Feature Notification Message on an airinterface paging channel from the cellular base station, for receipt anddisplay of the measure of outside temperature by at least one mobilestation being served by the cellular base station, wherein the FeatureNotification Message contains a Record Type block, a Record Lengthblock, and a Display or Extended Display block, wherein the Display orExtended Display block holds the digital representation of the measuredoutside temperature, and wherein the Record Type block holds dataindicating that the Display or Extended Display block holds the digitalrepresentation of the outside temperature.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the temperature source comprises a platinum resistancetemperature detector.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising: theat least one mobile station, wherein the at least one mobile station isarranged for receiving the measure of outside temperature from theFeature Notification Message and for responsively displaying the measureof outside temperature.
 4. A mobile station arranged to display outsidetemperature, the mobile station comprising: a cellular receiver forreceiving a Feature Notification Message on an air interface pagingchannel from a cellular base station, wherein the Feature NotificationMessage contains a Record Type block, a Record Length block, and aDisplay or Extended Display block, wherein the Display or ExtendedDisplay block holds a digital representation of outside temperaturemeasured by a temperature gauge mounted on an antenna tower of thecellular base station, and wherein the Record Type block holds dataindicating that the Display or Extended Display block holds the digitalrepresentation of the outside temperature; and logic for processing thecontrol channel message to extract from the control channel message thedigital representation of the measured outside temperature and forcausing an indication of the measured outside temperature to bedisplayed for viewing by a user.
 5. The mobile station of claim 4,wherein the mobile station is a cellular telephone.
 6. The mobilestation of claim 4, wherein the mobile station is a pager.
 7. The mobilestation of claim 4, wherein the mobile station is a wristwatch.
 8. Themobile station of claim 4, wherein the mobile station comprises a magnetsuitable for mounting the mobile station on a refrigerator.
 9. Themobile station of claim 4, wherein the mobile station is a deskornament.
 10. A method of reporting outside temperature to a mobilestation, the method comprising: measuring outside temperature at acellular base station by applying a temperature gauge mounted on anantenna tower of the cellular base station; and sending an indication ofthe measured outside temperature in a Feature Notification Message on anair interface paging channel from the cellular base station to themobile station, wherein the Feature Notification Message includes aRecord Type block, a Record Length block, and a Display or ExtendedDisplay block, wherein the Display or Extended Display block holdstemperature display information indicative of the measured outsidetemperature, and wherein the Record Type block holds data indicatingthat the Display or Extended Display block holds the temperature displayinformation.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: providing asignal indicative of the measured outside temperature to the cellularbase station; and the cellular base station responsively inserting theindication of the measured outside temperature into the FeatureNotification Message.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein providing asignal indicative of the measured outside temperature to the cellularbase station comprises providing the cellular base station with avoltage indicative of the measured outside temperature.
 13. The methodof claim 12, further comprising: the cellular base station producing adigital representation of the measured outside temperature based on thevoltage, wherein inserting the indication of the measured outsidetemperature into the control channel message comprises inserting thedigital representation of the measured outside temperature into thecontrol channel message.
 14. A method of reporting outside temperature,the method comprising: measuring outside temperature at a cellular basestation by applying a temperature gauge mounted on an antenna tower ofthe cellular base station; establishing a digital representation of themeasured outside temperature; generating a Feature Notification Messagecontaining a Record Type block, a Record Length block, and a Display orExtended Display block, wherein the Display or Extended Display blockholds the digital representation of the measured outside temperature,and wherein the Record Type block holds data indicating that the Displayor Extended Display block holds the digital representation of theoutside temperature; broadcasting the Feature Notification Message on anair interface paging channel from the cellular base station for receiptby at least one mobile station being served by the cellular basestation.
 15. A method of reporting outside temperature, the methodcomprising: measuring outside temperature at a cellular base station byapplying a temperature gauge mounted on an antenna tower of the cellularbase station; establishing a digital representation of the measuredoutside temperature; generating a Feature Notification Messagecontaining a Record Type block, a Record Length block, and a Display orExtended Display block, wherein the Display or Extended Display blockholds the digital representation of the measured outside temperature,and wherein the Record Type block holds data indicating that the Displayor Extended Display block holds the digital representation of theoutside temperature; broadcasting the Feature Notification Message on anair interface paging channel from the cellular base station for receiptby at least one mobile station being served by the cellular basestation; receiving the Feature Notification Message at the at least onemobile station; reading the digital representation of the measuredoutside temperature from the Feature Notification Message; anddisplaying the measured outside temperature indicated by the digitalrepresentation.